METAIRIE, La. — Quarterback Jameis Winston’s NFL future was in limbo while the New Orleans Saints pursued Deshaun Watson two weeks ago. But Winston said that ultimately turned into a positive because of the “tough conversations” he had with the Saints before agreeing to a two-year deal with a base value of $28 million.
“I know if their pursuit of Deshaun didn’t happen, I would not have been able to have that growth and those conversations with people in important roles,” Winston, 28, said Monday. “It was great to get an understanding of where I stood in this organization, and how the business side and the coaching side view me as a player, and where did they believe that I could take this team?”
Winston said the end result was a “compromise.” He didn’t get the blockbuster long-term contract he was hoping to earn before he tore an ACL in Week 8, but his new deal cements him as New Orleans’ starter under new coach Dennis Allen instead of the situation he faced last summer, in an open competition with Taysom Hill throughout training camp.
“Now, it’s just the action,” Winston said. “It’s just going out there, it’s me getting healthy, and it’s us going out there and winning games. And making everybody happy. Because that’s what it’s about. That’s how they keep their jobs on the business side. That’s how DA stays the head coach. And that’s how I stay the quarterback.
“You’ve been around me, I’m a very optimistic dude. Everything happens for a reason in my book. It’s all a part of God’s plan for me, and I embrace that.”
Allen echoed Winston’s comments on Tuesday morning.
“Jameis understands how our business operates,” Allen said. “He and I had a couple of good — call it tough — conversations. And I thought it was a good process.”
Allen…
Source : espn
